The Arizona Interscholastic Association’s Champions Gala returned to State Farm Stadium to celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding leaders in the Arizona high school sports community.

The event was held virtually the last two years, but the stars were out Sunday. NCAA Division I wresting champ and ESPY winner Anthony Robles of Mesa High was a guest speaker and remained on stage to help recognize two of the brightest student-athletes in Arizona, North High’s Madison Gallagher and Marzuc Hasan of Safford High.

They were each awarded $5,000 scholarships as AIA Students of the Year. They both thanked their families and mentors for getting them to this point.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to better myself not only on the court but in the classroom,” said Gallagher, who will attend the U.S. Air Force Academy next. “Their flexibility and understanding of how important it is to be a SAL or a Scholar Athlete Leader has allowed me to develop a confidence and character that I hope my younger peers and teammates take on as they grow as members of society.”

Hasan graduated with a 4.97 weighted GPA.

“I want to thank my parents for their continuous dedication and their constant reminder that you are what you make yourself to be and that you are whatever you put into yourself," he said. "Whatever work you put in you will get the result.”

Award winners

Leadership in Women’s Athletics

Tamee Gressett, Agua Fria Union District

 

                                                                    Tamee Gressett

Tony Komedina Outstanding Girls Athletic Program

Salome High

Student Leadership Advisory Committee

Meghan Schouten, Xavier

Meghan Schouten (middle)Abby Maxwell Todd, Boulder Creek

Abby Maxwell ToddAliyah Jones, Arizona College Prep

Aliyah Jones

Gary Whelchel Officiating award

Beverlee Nielson, volleyball

Skip Bryant Media Award

Thurman ‘Gil’ Gilbert, photographer

Thurman ‘Gil’ GilbertAdministrator of the Year

Phillip Echeverria, Williams High School

AIA Coach of the Year

David DiDomenico, Mesa High wrestling

David DiDomenicoUnified Sports Coach of the Year

Donn Duplain, Verrado

Unified Sports Partner of the Year

Chris Ramirez, Glendale High

Unified Sports Athlete of the Year

Xavier Simpson, Valley Vista High School

School Spirit Award

2A Glendale Prep

3A Arizona College Prep

6A Perry

Dr. Voie Stuart Chase Coy Scholar Activity Award

Girls

Mia Solorsano, Saint John Paull II

Male

Isaak Kary, Ironwood High

Dr. Voie Stuart Chase Coy 1A-3A Girls Scholar Athlete

Sohani Sandhu, Arizona College Prep

Sohani SandhuDr. Voie Stuart Chase Coy 4A-6A Girls Scholar

Mi Meh, Amphitheater

Mi MehDr. Voie Stuart Chase Coy 1A-3A Boys Scholar

Dylan Hall, Anthem Prep

Dr. Voie Stuart Chase Coy 4A-6A Boys Scholar

Gabriel McCallen, Cibola

Better Business Bureau Ethical Champions

Mimi Harris, Mountain Pointe

Michael Dulin, River Valley

Each one received a $2,500 scholarship.

                         Mountain's Pointe's Mimi Harris (far right) and River Valley's Michael Dulin

AIA Pillar Award

Erin Coy

Erin CoyDr. Kristina Wilson

Dr. Kristina WilsonDon Kile

Don Kile

AIA Directors' Cup Award

Mountain Ridge High School

Mountain Ridge athletic director Tony Miller (left) with AIA executive director Davind Hines.

AIA Students of the Year

Madison Gallagher, North High

Marzuc Hasan, Tempe Prep Academy

Finalists

Alexis Gaitan

Ariz Baruch Lim

Connor Hatch

Duke Frye

Esteban Ledesma

Ethan Hott

Helena Richardson

Lois Brodnik

Madison Foster

MiMi Harris

Sofia Durazo

Sohani Sanh